The Perfect Platte River Getaway & Sandhill Crane Viewing

Photo gallery for The Perfect Platte River Getaway & Sandhill Crane Viewing

A bay window seating area with a checkered rug, two rocking chairs, and a bench with pillows.
A spacious kitchen with wooden cabinets, a dining area with white chairs, and a TV in the background.
A red wooden building with a porch, steps, and outdoor seating.
A cozy living room with a fireplace, a television, and a checkered rug.
A cozy living room with a black leather sofa, wooden dining table, and chairs. A rocking chair is near a window with a view of trees.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast for a fee

Explore the area

View map
Wood River, NE
  • Place, Cheyenne State Recreation Area
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Platte River
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Place, Nebraska State Fair Grounds
    ‪27 min drive‬
  • Airport, Grand Island, NE (GRI-Central Nebraska Regional)
    ‪30 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 15)

Common area 1

2 Single Sofa Beds and 1 Single Futon

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

The bunk room

+1
2 Single Beds, 1 Double Sofa Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

The loft

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Main bath

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (67 reviews)
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About the area

Wood River

Located in Wood River, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Grand Island Tennis Center and Elks Country Club Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History and Aquacourt. Island Oasis Water Park and Nebraska State Fair Grounds are also worth visiting. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting and hiking/biking trails nearby.
View more Holiday homes in Wood RiverOpens in a new window
Map
Wood River, NE

What's nearby

  • Cheyenne State Recreation Area - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Platte River - 1 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Fonner Park - 24 min drive - 46.5 km
  • Nebraska State Fair Grounds - 27 min drive - 48.6 km
  • Grand Island Casino Resort at Fonner Park - 27 min drive - 46.1 km

Getting around

  • Hastings Station - 29 min drive
  • Grand Island, NE (GRI-Central Nebraska Regional) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Brick Oven - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Klinger's Place - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Perfect Platte River Getaway & Sandhill Crane Viewing pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Perfect Platte River Getaway & Sandhill Crane Viewing?

As of 4 Nov 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Perfect Platte River Getaway & Sandhill Crane Viewing on 8 Nov 2026 start from AU$1,748, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Perfect Platte River Getaway & Sandhill Crane Viewing?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Perfect Platte River Getaway & Sandhill Crane Viewing?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Perfect Platte River Getaway & Sandhill Crane Viewing?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Perfect Platte River Getaway & Sandhill Crane Viewing located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Cheyenne State Recreation Area and Platte River. Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center and War Axe State Recreation Area are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 27 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 27 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 27 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 27 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 27 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great family trip. The house was excellent and our kids had the best time between the river & all the outdoor activities!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice place and owner
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice quaint home. All the amenities that you need to enjoy and nice vacation and have many memories.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
You’ll want to live outdoors at this property!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend

Overall nice place to stay
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bird watchers

Had a great time. The cabin is well stocked and well located.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great lace

The place was excellent, and the host was great. It was perfect for our Christmas get together.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Jens Getaway

Nice clean place with plenty of amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas in July

We had a great time celebrating our Christmas in July here! Playing in the river, fishing and disc golfing in Hastings were highlights.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2025
Thanks for visiting! We hope you’ll return again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Crane paradise

Jen is great! The place is everything you need to spend your time on the river.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar 2024
THANK YOU!! We sure hope you visit again!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and relaxing

We came to visit with my 95 year old mother in law and really needed the nature walks and the peaceful atmosphere of the house.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location to view the Sandhill Cranes

We had a great stay, this was a great location for us to view the migration of the sandhill cranes. Jen was very friendly and responsive. Nice place with lots of extras!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Aug 2023
Thank you! Please visit again!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Christmas

We loved our stay! It was perfect for family to get together. The large kitchen and open area to the living room was ideal to be able to interact as we were preparing our meals. Although it was a little chilly outside, my grandkids enjoyed all the outdoor space. We will definitely be back to enjoy the area again!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great cabin with tons of outdoor amenities, the kitchen was great to cook for 11 people.Sadly the river was low but kids enjoyed the water.Jen was easy to contact.We will come back
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to celebrate with family

It was a great place for us to celebrate our anniversary with family and friends. There is tons of space inside and a lot of things to do outside as well. We had a great time having a horseshoe tournament. Jen was a great host. She was very responsive and helped with every question I had. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Crane migration

We had an awesome time! The cabin was just as expected and was perfect for our group! Everything we needed or wanted was there!Jen was a great hostess- she responded very quickly with any of my questions. She even had great suggestions on where and when to view the crane migrations. Thanks again, Jen! If we ever do a repeat of this trip, we will definitely stay with you!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic location for crane spotting. We had flyovers every morning and evening and the songs of the roosting cranes all night. The cabin is also well-situated between the Rowe Sanctuary and the Crane Trust. The cabin is really well equipped with lots of thought and consideration for guests. It's truly a great place. WE loved sitting by the river and dining on the patio. The cabin does have a very strong smell, which perhaps comes from all the lovely wood. My in-laws' cabin had a similar odor, and wood treatments were the cause there. I am very, very sensitive to odor, so it was a bit of an issue for me. It didn't bother the other guests in my party at all. We would definitely stay here again, especially in weather when we can be outdoors a lot.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jen, the owner, was responsive to our every question and need. High praise for her level of connection and communication. The cabin is beautifully situated with an outdoor space that is perfect for gathering and relaxing as well as entertaining. Gorgeous setting! The beds were comfortable. The layout is great with a large open kitchen, dining, living area. There is a strong unpleasant pervasive off-gassing chemical smell. 3 in our group have asthma and it was an issue for them.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Oct 2025
I was never made aware of any smell or issue. If we had known we could've addressed it. I sure wish you would have reached out about it as we do not use chemicals..sorry it happened this way as you had my number and had reached out about the heat.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Nebraska by the lake

Beautiful location, neat place, lots of outdoor amenities to enjoy. The hostess was terrific to work with. We did have concerns about the pervasive smell of the house - which was explained in the materials on-site and marked as safe. While we appreciate the detail included in explaining the pervasive smells we had an infant and toddler that we were concerned about, and the smells lingered in hair and clothing even after washing.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 July 2025
I’m so sorry we forgot to change the furnace filter so that created the problem! That was all on us. It’s fixed now. Had we known during your stay we could have checked it out. Our apologies!!!
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Home with Tons of Fun Amenities!This home was impressive with all its amenities—you can tell a lot of thought went into creating a great guest experience. From river accessories (tubes, kayaks) to board games and a fully stocked kitchen, there was no shortage of things to do.The house wasn’t “hotel-quality” tidy, but if you’re comfortable with the casual feel of staying at a friend’s house, it’s a similar experience. For us, the fun and memories we made were absolutely 5 out of 5 stars, even if cleanliness was closer to a 3 out of 5.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 July 2025
We are very sorry to hear that. You did not think the home was sufficiently clean. If we had known, we would’ve done anything in our power to fix it. We wish you would’ve reached out during your stay and shared that you had concerns. We strive to always have the home very clean….& have never had a comment like this. Further, we do not claim to be a hotel but a cabin on the river that is full of all the extras for a very reasonable price.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas in January

Our family had a wonderful time. The hosts went out of there way to clear snow and ice for our stay. We so appreciate this. They also left up their Christmas decor which made our family gathering feel just like home. The cook top griddle is such a wonderful touch. We would love to stay there again especially in the spring or summer where we could enjoy the river and abundant wildlife.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Birthday Weekend

The property was great but the sleeping arrangements and advertising of how many people the cabin slept was a little misleading. We are all over 60 and the advertising said it sleeps 15 - that's if you blow up air mattresses, sleep on bunk beds and couches. I think it's a PERFECT place for a family but not old people LOL - Still a wonderful weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Aug 2023
Sorry you felt this way however all the beds are listed in the description which is available to read before booking. There are two queen bedrooms, 2 bunk beds with trundles, & a pull out sofa sleeper to sleep a total of 12. (We do offer air mattresses for anyone with a larger group requesting more beds. Additionally there is a big sectional and giant bean bag bed.)
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion

This was a perfect spot for a family reunion. So many things to do and lots of space. Sadly the river was low so we couldn't tube or kayak but we did use the beach chairs and sat in the river while listening to music and threw the football. There were many games of sand volleyball. It was a hot weekend so we also spent plenty of time indoors playing games. The kitchen is fully stocked. Highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Aug 2024
Thank you so much! We hope you come visit again!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent location, with cozy amenities

The sandhill cranes were very close and we listened to them settle in at night and take off in the morning. We could see them very clearly. The property is centrally located between Kearney and Grand Island. Lovely comfy furniture and loads of soft blankets. We loved it there. The only cautionary I've of info is that this property isn't suited for "older" people who have balance issues if there are more than 4 of you. The loft bedroom has a very narrow winding stairwell. There are 4 bunckbeds, but it might be problematic to climb to the top 2 bunks. There were two of us "younger" 70year olds so we shared the king-sized bed. The second shower would require climbing over a huge older tub. We loved it, but it might
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Checked out early

The location of this cabin was right by the river and the outdoor space of the property was just as described. (there are mosquitoes and ticks - but that is to be expected near the river in the summer). The cabin itself has parts that have been remodeled and looks like what is in the listing pictures. However, our family had to check out after one night due to the incredibly strong smell of Creosote (off-gas from the railroad ties that were used in this cabin). This smell was so strong it made several in our group (including my young son who ended up nauesus all night) sick. The host allowed us to check out early- but we were not refunded the amount as she had agreed with early checkout. The host did note that the off gas of the creosote is not toxic - that it is often stronger in the humidity. It was so strong when we were there that even after one night our luggage and clothing still smelled of it when we returned home. After doing our own research on the health impact of creosote we felt it was important to leave this in our review- as if we had know of the smell we would have booked elsewhere to avoid exposing our family and kids to this.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 July 2025
It’s unfortunate that guest like these exist on these platforms who seek free stays. Sadly she is spreading false info & stayed for free. Hosts beware.
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